Uganda’s coffee earnings have experienced an upward trend, registering a sh37b more in earnings in the month of June

August 4, 2022    By LAMARC FOUNDATION   

Uganda’s coffee earnings have experienced an upward trend, registering a sh37b more in earnings in the month of June

In June, a total of 530,365 60-kilo bags of coffee valued at $83.79m (sh307b) were exported. This is as compared to $73.01m (sh270b) earned in the month of May 2022 when Uganda exported 455,166 60-kilo bags of coffee.

According to a report by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Ugandan coffee sold at an average weighted price of $2.63 per kilo, 4 cents lower than $2.67 per kilo in May 2022 and $1.05 higher than $1.58 per kilo in June 2021.

“This was a decrease of 14% in quantity but an increase of 43% in value compared to the same month last year,” reads part of the report, adding that Coffee exports for 12 months [Financial year 2021/22] totalled 6.26 million bags worth $862.28m compared to 6.08 million bags worth
$559.16m the previous financial year 2020/21. This represents 2.97% and 54.21% increase in both quantity and value respectively.

By comparing the quantity of coffee exported by type in the same month of last Coffee Year [June 2021], Robusta decreased by 21.44% in quantity but increased by 21.37% in value. Arabica exports on the other hand increased by 62.77% and 174.46% in quantity and value respectively.

UCDA attributed the decrease in Robusta exports to lower yields this year that were characterized by drought in most regions.

“This led to a shorter main harvest season in Central and Eastern regions and reduced harvests from Greater Masaka and South-Western regions whose peak is expected in July 2022. The increase in Arabica coffee exports is due to a on-year cycle characteristic of Arabica coffee production,” further reads the monthly report.

The report says farm-gate prices for Robusta Kiboko averaged sh2,600 per kilo while FAQ sold at sh6,450 per kilo. Arabica parchment stood at sh10,500 per kilo while Drugar went for sh9,500 per kilo.

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